Shortly after the meeting between Niger Delta people and
federal government to end hostilities on oil facilities, suspected militants
have again blown up a crude export ine, effectively crippling oil production.
The Joint military
force deployed to the Niger Delta to protect oil infrastructure on Wednesday
confirmed an explosion at an oil field operated by Nigerian Petroleum
Development Company (NPDC) in Delta.
Lt.-Col. Olaolu Daudu, Spokesman of the joint force codenamed
Operation Delta Safe who confirmed the development in Yenagoa on Wednesday said
investigations had commenced.
He said that troops deployed to the area on Wednesday heard
an explosion at the Bantan flow station run by NPDC, a subsidiary of Nigeria
National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
"Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE located at Sector 1, in
Delta State while on routine patrol heard an explosive sound caused by
suspected Economic Saboteurs at Batan Flow Station around Ekweregbene, Bantan
general area.
"The incidence is however being investigated and
details will be made available as events unfold.
"Also troops of Forward Operation Base deployed at
Bonny in Rivers State while on anti - crude oil theft/ illegal bunkering
patrol, discovered two illegal refinery sites along Ogbunku Creek and recovered
three 40 Horse Power outboard engines and three pumping machines," Daudu
said.
Community sources in the area said that no militant group
has claimed responsibility for the explosion coming barely 24 hours after the
Niger Delta stakeholders meeting with the stakeholders presided over by
President Muhammadu Buhari pledged to end attacks on oil facilities.
It was gathered that the attack breached a crude export line
that was commissioned on Monday.
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